​​​Army Specialist, Will Thomas

​​Army Specialist Will Thomas deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 where he served as a combat engineer. In 2012, while conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Specialist Thomas was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The blast shattered his right leg and ankle resulting in an amputation above the knee, severe head and back trauma, shoulder injuries, a torn rotator cuff and many more internal injuries. At the time of his medical retirement in February 2016, Will had endured 45 life threatening infections and just completed his 35th surgery.

Specialist Thomas’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Army Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Looking to the future, Will is training as a competitive swimmer for the Para Olympics and hopes to start a family soon. His wife Shanelle, graduated from radiology school in May 2016 and has been a constant source of love, motivation and encouragement. They both look forward to fishing, golfing and enjoying the wide open spaces in Texas.​

"When anybody loses power, it's something that is a little bit scary. For me, getting my power back on when grid power is off is a huge relief, it's really great! All my neighbors are going to want to come over and see me."​